Date   : Mon, 26 Aug 1985 00:34:43 GMT
From   : "Rich Strebendt @ AT&T Information Systems - Indian Hill West; formerly" <res%ihlpl.uucp@BRL.ARPA>
Subject: Re: --- worms --- (Really "Hacker")

 
> You know, I'm getting bloody tired of the misuse and abuse of the term
> "hacker".  I worked hard to learn enough to hopefully be considered a member
> of those illustrious ranks, and do NOT like being associated with vandals,
> delinquents, criminal elements, and the like.

Sorry, regretable as it is, but the word "Hacker" is now in the public
vocabulary permanently (well, maybe only for a couple of hundred years
to come) with a pejorative connotation.  Those who aspire to the title
Hacker in a non-pejorative connotation are going to have to coin
another word to use as an illustrious title.  Bitching and moaning and
castigating the journalists is not going to help.  Somehow, also, the
new title has to be fed to the press in contrast to the Hacker image
and popularized.

As one who could probably lay claim to that "illustrious" title, I find
it repugnant.  It brings to mind an image of someone holding a bloody
meat axe.

                                       Rich Strebendt
                                       ...!ihnp4!iwsl6!res